In-ground storm shelter

ABSTRACT

In areas with propensity for tornados, for example in the central part of the country, the plain states, the mid-west, and also in Florida, it is customary to have some form of storm shelter in which the occupants of commercial and residential buildings can seek refuge in the event of a tornado. The safest type of storm shelter is a so-called in-ground storm shelter. The embodiments of the In-Ground Storm Shelter are comprised of a bottom, a left side and a right side. The In-Ground Storm Shelter is further comprised of a front side and a back side, and a top side. The top side is further comprised of a removable back door, a sliding door, a top left shoulder and a top right shoulder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of pending U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/051,209 titled “IN-GROUNDSTORM SHELTER” filed on Mar. 18, 2011. This application claims priorityof U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/051,209. U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/051,209 in turn claims priorityof U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/345,457 of the sametitle filed on May 17, 2010. The entire contents of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/345,457 and U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 13/051,209 are herein incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The field of the embodiments is generally in the area of storm shelters.More specifically the field of the embodiments described herein is inthe area of in-ground storm shelters.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The background of the embodiments of the in-ground storm sheltercomprises construction and use of in-ground storm shelters. In areaswith propensity for tornados, for example in the central part of thecountry, the plain states, the mid-west, and also in Florida, it iscustomary to have some form of storm shelter in which the occupants ofcommercial and residential buildings can seek refuge in the event of atornado. The safest type of storm shelter is a so-called in-ground stormshelter. These storm shelters are placed below ground grade andtypically afford the most significant level of protection for theoccupants of the storm shelter.

The prior art related to in-ground storm shelters have had a number ofdeficiencies. The limitations include without limitation the operationof the door that allows ingress and egress from the storm shelter. Inparticular some of the doors are particularly heavy and difficult toopen. It is evident that it is important for the storm shelter door toremain securely closed in the event of a tornado so that the occupantsof the storm shelter are afforded the maximum level of safety. Themaximum level of safety is due both to the possibility of occupants ofthe storm shelter being drawn out of the storm shelter due to the highwinds of the tornado as well as debris making its way into the stormshelter. Therefore it is very important for any door to be securelyclosed as the occupants of the storm shelter require.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the In-Ground Storm Shelter are comprised of abottom, a left side and a right side. The In-Ground Storm Shelter isfurther comprised of a front side and a back side, and a top side. Thetop side is further comprised of a removable back door, a sliding door,a top left shoulder and a top right shoulder. The top left shoulder andtop right shoulder when installed in the ground are just below the gradeof the surface and are commonly covered with concrete. The top leftshoulder and top right shoulder therefore serve to maintain the positionof the various embodiments of the -Ground Storm Shelter.

The left and right sides are further comprised of a “V” shaped sideribs. The purpose of the V shape fold is to further secure theembodiment in the ground or concrete when concrete or soil is placedaround the embodiment. When the concrete or soil is compacted or theconcrete is hardened the V-shaped side ribs structures prevent theembodiment from moving relative to the surface of the ground. The bottomlip of the storm shelter acts in a similar way to the V-shaped side ribsto prevent the storm shelter from shifting position vertically when soilis compacted on top of the bottom lip or concrete is poured and cured ontop of the bottom lip.

In this respect, it is to be understood that the embodiments in thisapplication are not limited to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the description orillustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable of beingpracticed and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposeof description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which thisdisclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for thedesigning of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out theseveral purposes of the embodiments described in this application.Additional benefits and advantages of the present embodiments willbecome apparent in those skilled in the art to which the embodimentsrelate from the description of the preferred embodiment and the appendedclaims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It isimportant, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including suchequivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spiritand scope of the embodiments described herein.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theembodiments of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor isit intended to be limiting as to the scope of the embodiments in anyway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric drawing showing the various embodiments of theIn-Ground Storm Shelter.

FIG. 2 is an isometric cutaway drawing showing the internal structuraland functional elements of the embodiments of the In-Ground StormShelter with both doors removed for clarity.

FIG. 3A is a side view of an embodiment of the In-Ground Storm Shelter;FIG. 3B is a back view of the embodiments of the In-Ground StormShelter; FIG. 3C is a top view of embodiments of the In-Ground StormShelter showing the sliding door closed.

FIG. 4A is a cutaway section side view of the In-Ground Storm Shelter;FIG. 4B is a cutaway back view of embodiments of the In-Ground StormShelter; FIG. 4C is a top view of the embodiments of the In-Ground StormShelter.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view showing an embodiment of the locking means asit would engage in the sliding door of embodiments of the In-GroundStorm Shelter.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view showing the rollers which guide the slidingdoor of embodiments of the In-Ground Storm Shelter.

FIG. 7A is an expanded view of the latch in the open position; FIG. 7Bis an expanded view of the latch in the closed or engaged position.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing how the removable back door isaffixed to the In-Ground Storm Shelter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the In-Ground Storm Shelter 100 are comprised of abottom 111, a left side 104 and a right side 102. The In-Ground StormShelter 100 is further comprised of a front side 101 and a back side103, and a top side.

The top side is further comprised of a removable back door 105, asliding door 106, a top left shoulder 107 and a top right shoulder 108.The top left shoulder 107 and top right shoulder 108 when installed inthe ground are just above the grade of the surface and are commonlysurrounded with concrete. The top left shoulder 107 and top rightshoulder 108 therefore serve to maintain the position of the variousembodiments of the in-Ground Storm Shelter.

The left 104 and right 102 sides are further comprised of a plurality ofV-crimped side ribs 112. The purpose of the V shape fold is to furthersecure the embodiment in the ground or concrete when concrete or soil isplaced around the embodiment. When the concrete or soil is compacted orthe concrete is hardened the V-crimped side ribs 112 structures preventthe embodiment from popping out of the ground, and pushing in the sidewalls. The bottom lip 113 of the storm shelter acts in a similar way tothe V-crimped side ribs 112 to prevent the storm shelter from shiftingposition vertically when soil is compacted on top of the bottom lip 113or concrete is poured and cured on top of the bottom lip.

The removable back door 105 and sliding door 106 serve as the means ofegress and ingress of the storm shelter. When the sliding door 106 is inthe closed position it forms a tight seal against any debris or wind.When the sliding door 106 is in the closed position the sliding door 106is secured by a locking means. The sliding door is further comprised ofa mechanism that allows the sliding door to slide underneath theremovable back door 105.

The removable back door 105 is supported by a rear angle iron flange 801affixed to the interior of the In-Ground Storm Shelter and affixed tothe a top left shoulder 107 and a top right shoulder 108 by a pluralityof bolts 802 accessible from the interior of the In-Ground StormShelter. Therefore, if it becomes necessary, the occupants of theIn-Ground Storm Shelter may exit by simply removing the bolts 802 andremoving the removable back door 105 to gain an exit to ground level.Therefore in this embodiment, the occupant of the in-ground stormshelter can remove the removable back door an exit through the openingonce occupied by the removable back door.

The sliding mechanism is comprised of a left and right door track. Theleft and right door tracks are further comprised of a sliding door tracktube (the sliding door track tube on the left 109 is shown and on theright 110) and a left sliding door track angle 204 and a right slidingdoor track angle 209. The left and right door tracks are affixed with atop cross support 208. The top cross supported is affixed to the leftand right door tracks via a welded connection and serves to providestructural support. Welded to the door track angles are a plurality ofrollers 203. The door tracks are arranged so that the sliding door 106slides under the removable back door 105 when opened. The plurality ofrollers 203 allow the sliding door 106 to slide with minimal effortunderneath the removable back door 105. The view shown in FIG. 2 showsthe left side door track and the right side door track is a mirror imageof the left side door track. All components of the embodiments of theIn-Ground Storm shelter are manufactured from steel.

As is shown in detail in FIG. 6, one of the plurality of rollers 203 iswelded to the sliding door track angle 204. As shown in this figure, thesliding door 106 rests upon the plurality of rollers 203 (illustrated inFIG. 6 as resting upon one of the rollers). This arrangement allows forthe sliding door to be easily opened and closed with minimal effort.

In an embodiment of the In-Ground Storm Shelter 100, the locking meansto secure the sliding door 106 is comprised of a sliding door lockingpin tube 205 and a sliding door locking pin 206. The sliding doorlocking pin 206 is comprised of an “L” shaped pin that allows the doorto be locked. The pin is engaged by the occupant of the In-Ground StormShelter 100 into an aperture formed in the front support tube 501affixed to the sliding door 106 via a weld. The sliding door locking pin206 is engaged as the sliding door 106 is placed in the closed position.The locking means is further comprised of a spring-loaded mechanism 503so that as the sliding door is slid over the mechanism thespring-loading mechanism 503 easily inserts the pin into the apertureformed by the sliding door. Embodiments of the In-Ground Storm Shelter100 also comprise a latch 502 that, when engaged into an aperture 301formed by the sliding door 106, secures the sliding door 106 in theclosed position.

In an embodiment of the In-Ground Storm Shelter 100, the locking meansto secure the sliding door 106 is comprised of a sliding door lockingpin tube 205 and a sliding door locking pin 206. The sliding doorlocking pin 206 is comprised of an “L” shaped pin that allows the doorto be locked. The sliding door locking pin 206, which is affixed to thefront support tube 501 via a weld, is engaged by the occupant of theIn-Ground Storm Shelter 100 into an aperture 114 formed in the slidingdoor 106. The sliding door locking pin 206 is engaged as the slidingdoor 106 is placed in the closed position. The locking means is furthercomprised of a spring-loaded mechanism 503 so that as the sliding dooris slid over the mechanism the spring-loading mechanism 503 easilyinserts the pin into the aperture 114 formed by the sliding door.Embodiments of the In-Ground Storm Shelter 100 also comprise a latch 502that, when engaged into an aperture 301 formed by the sliding door 106,secures the sliding door 106 in the closed position

Internal to the In-Ground Storm Shelter 100 are several features thatassist in the usability of the In-Ground Storm Shelter 100. An angleiron 201 is welded onto the inside of the In-Ground Storm Shelter 100 inthe event that the sliding door becomes jammed by debris. A winch orother prying means can be attached to the angle iron 201 and theunderside of the sliding door to force the door open. A plurality ofstep supports 207 are welded to the inside of the right side 102 and theinside of the left side 104. The step supports 207 are essentially metalangles that allow for placement of steps for ingress and egress of theIn-Ground Storm Shelter 100.

In the best mode of operation of the embodiments of the In-Ground StormShelter, earth is removed from the location of installation of theIn-Ground Storm Shelter and the In-Ground Storm Shelter is installedinto the below-ground location such that the top left shoulder and topright shoulder are just below the grade of the surface. Then concrete ispoured around the embodiments to cover the bottom lip, the V-shaped sideribs structures, and the top shoulders. This concrete serves to securethe In-Ground Storm Shelter in place. When the user requires use of theshelter, they first open the latch 502 to disengage the sliding door106. Next, the user slides the sliding door 106 open and enters theIn-Ground Storm Shelter via the steps installed onto the step supports207. Next, the user slides the sliding door 106 closed. When the slidingdoor 106 is closed, the locking means secures the sliding door 106closed. In one embodiment, the user engages a locking pin tube 205 and asliding door locking pin 206 into an aperture thereby securing thesliding door 106 closed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An in-ground storm shelter comprised of a slidingdoor, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a front side, a back side, atop side, a removable back door, a plurality of V-crimped side ribsformed by the left side and the right side, wherein the sliding door issupported in a manner such that when the sliding door is in the openposition the sliding door is positioned under the removable back door,wherein the removable back door is supported by a rear angle iron flangeand affixed to the top of the in-ground storm shelter by a plurality ofbolts accessible from the interior of the in-ground storm shelterwherein the plurality of bolts are located completely interior to thein-ground storm shelter such that the occupant of the in-ground stormshelter can remove the removable back door by removing the plurality ofbolts and the removable back door and exiting through the opening onceoccupied by the removable back door.
 2. The in-ground storm shelterdescribed in claim 1 wherein the bottom forms a bottom lip.
 3. Thein-ground storm shelter described in claim 1 wherein the sliding door issecured in the closed position by a locking means to secure the slidingdoor.
 4. The in-ground storm shelter described in claim 1 wherein thelocking means to secure the sliding door is comprised of a. a slidingdoor locking pin tube; b. a sliding door locking pin; i. wherein thesliding door locking pin is comprised of an “L” shaped pin that allowsthe door to be locked; and ii. wherein the pin is engaged by the user asthe sliding door is placed in the closed position and secures the doorin the closed position; c. a spring-loaded mechanism so that as thesliding door is slid over the mechanism the spring-loading mechanismsecures the door in the closed position.